Today is Young Carers Action Day and Hull City Council is highlighting the local support available for the city’s young carers.
A young carer is a young person who cares for a family member who may have a disability, serious illness, a mental health issue or an alcohol, drug or substance problem. Caring for someone can take its toll emotionally and physically. A young carer has less time for hobbies, interests, friends, part-time work or schoolwork. A young carer may take on extra household chores, sort out medications, help someone to wash, or be a comfort to someone who requires mental or emotional support.
The Hull Young Carers Project is funded by Hull City Council and the NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership. The project works in close partnership with services including schools, colleges, the University of Hull, the NHS, the council’s Early Help Services, community-based youth services and the voluntary sector.
The aim of the Hull Young Carers Project is to offer tailored support and a variety of opportunities for young people with a caring responsibility. Their support includes:
- An assessment to identify need and to agree a suitable support plan.
- One-to-one support Information, advice and guidance.
- Weekly peer support groups.
- A trusted adult / youth worker to advocate on a young carer’s behalf.
- Opportunity to become involved in the young carer-led forum to shape future support for young carers in the city.
- Telephone support.
- Support with applications to the Young Carer’s Card (an identification and discount card for young carers) and the wellbeing grant.
Councillor Linda Tock, the portfolio holder for Children’s Services at Hull City Council said: “Young Carers Action Day gives us the opportunity to shine a spotlight on the vital service the Hull Young Carers Project provide to the city’s young carers. Every young carer should have the chance to fulfil their potential and the project helps them on their way.”
A young carer who received support from the service said: “I barely went out or went to school. I got involved with the Young Carers Project because I had to help my mum because she was in a bad place, and I was sad. The help from the Young Carers Project made my mum a lot happier and it made me a lot happier. I feel more people understand me now and I get out of the house more. We wouldn’t normally go anywhere because my mum was poorly but now mum takes me lots of places and we have fun together.”
Professionals and families can make a referral for support by accessing the Hull City Council website: https://childrensportallive.hullcc.gov.uk.
Young carers aged 10 and over can contact their local youth centres to access the young carers support sessions:
- Kingston Youth Centre and Ainthorpe Youth Centre: 01482 331 238
- Andrew Marvell Youth Centre: 01482 791 226
- Route One Youth Centre: 01482 491 960
- Astra Youth Centre: 01482 310925
For further information on Young Carers Project please contact the team by emailing TheYoungCarersProject@hullcc.gov.uk.
